So you've probably heard about this already - McCain's top economic advisor Phil Gramm has gotten himself in some hot water for his apparent belief that America's economic problems can easily be accounted for by the fact that we are a "nation of whiners."

Thursday, 10 July 2008

The press has a pretty good idea of Barack Obama's overseas schedule, although we've been asked to keep the details private for the moment and we don't know when he's going to Iraq and Afghanistan. Right now, swarms of Democratic advance folks are in Europe or traveling there, and the pressure on them to produce flawless events will be acute.

Obama's trip to Europe will be a huge event...maybe as big as his convention, maybe as big as a debate. Sheer curiosity will translate into enormous crowds, even as most of Obama's events will be small and pooled. The European press will go ga-ga, uncritically. If Obama does speak at the Brandenburg gate -- and it's unclear whether he will at this point -- you could envision a crowd of more than 200,000 watching and cheering him.

A few years ago, it might not have been the best political move for a candidate to be seen as receiving the adulation of world... especially France and Germany. Not today: given how important it is to many independents and Republicans and Democrats that America's standing in the world is restored, Obama could well benefit domestically from a raucous reception overseas.

There are potential drawbacks: gaffes will be magnified through the lens of a voracious, excited press corps. His trip has to be flawless, message-wise, tone-wise and in its execution. If Obama appears presumptuous and arrogant and not humble, there's a good bet that we'll see that reflected in the coverage back home. Likewise if any European (or Israeli) leader lectures him about unilateral diplomacy with Iran.At least until he sits down with Gen. Petraeus ... will he speak truth to power? -- the benefits surely outweigh the risks....

This excruciating (but short) video of John McCain desperately not wanting to talk about his position on the sensible notion that medicare should pay for birth control:

This makes for a useful opportunity to remind you all: John McCain has voted multiple times in the Senate to oppose the inclusion of birth control on publically paid health care plans. As his own campaign surrogate, Carly Fiorina, pointed out the other day - it is plainly obscene that these plans will pay for Viagra but not for birth control. Women everywhere should be deeply offended by this - I sure am.

But it's of a piece with McCain's overall anti-woman agenda. Remember, he wants to overturn Roe Versus Wade, jsut for starters.

And apparently his own advisors aren't even aware how retrograde his positions are.

Kennedy's return to the chamber yesterday was really something special. Republicans and Democrats alike cheered him on, and GOP senators such as Kay Bailey Hutchison were just awe struck. Plain and simple, Kennedy turned that vote around. They had 59 votes without Kennedy, he showed up and gave them 60 -- the number needed to pass the bill -- and as soon as Republicans like Hutchison realized the bill was passing they lined up to vote yes. They wanted to be on the winning side. Thinking of the Senate like a basketball game, Kennedy scored 10 points yesterday. His arrival meant 10 votes, taking it from 59 votes to 69 votes. I've never seen anything like it in the 8 years that I've now closely covered the Senate.

Obama's unprecedented ground organisation, voter registration and GOTV program stands to benefit congressional candidates all across the country. One of the places where it might play some surprising dividends is the deep red state of Texas - W's own backyard.

But an energized Latino electorate, a spirited Senate race featuring a Hispanic and a $10 million investment by the Obama campaign will benefit the presumptive Democratic nominee and the state’s Democratic candidates and force Republicans to spend more money than originally planned.

The gathering momentum of Texas Democratic Senate candidate Rick Noriega, a state representative, against Republican Sen. John Cornyn, has some political pundits speculating about what once seemed improbable: whether the Hispanic Democrat can pull off an upset.

“We are going to watch Texas very carefully,” Obama campaign manager David Plouffe said recently. Hispanics make up 15 percent of the state’s total voters.

Are you chuckling at the thought of staging a Texas takeover? Me too! But hey, don't just think about it, take action - there's a Noriega fundraiser coming up right here in London:

Questions? Contact Laura Welch in Austin at laura@ricknoriega.com or Mark Mullen in London at noriegalondon@gmail.com.Please forward this to anybodywho wants a US Senator Texas can be proud of andwho may know like minded individuals in the UK

pachanga means party!

***Please note: Only US Citizens and Permanent US Residents may contribute to US political campaigns. Documentation will be required.Contributions or gifts to Rick Noriega for Texas are not deductible as charitable contributions for Federal income tax purposes. To comply with Federal law, we must use our best efforts to obtain, maintain, and submit the name, mailing address, occupation and name of employer of individuals whose contributions exceed $200 per calendar year. Contributions are limited to $2,300 per individual and $4,600 per couple per election.

My apologies for a slightly reduced blog traffic this week - it's actually been a really busy here in London with lots of exciting stuff going on. Well, exciting for completely geeky political obessives like me (and you?).

Last Saturday was the annual July 4th picnic for Democrats Abroad - probably around 60 folks spread out their blankets in Regents Park for a relaxed and fun filled afternoon of politics and pleasure.

On Monday night, I was thrilled to host a reception at the House of Commons for Democrats Abroad's activists and volunteers. The event was sponsored by John Grogan, a prominent labour backbencher who is a real Obama enthusiast. There were dozens more MPs who joined us at the event for eager discussion about the election, and I think I can safely report that all three British political parties (yes, we did have the token Tory presence as well) are truly excited about this election. My sincerest thanks to John Grogan for suggesting the event to me, arranging for the room and for generously giving his time and his staff to make this happen.

And finally, although I wasn't there myself, I do know that there was a highly successful fundraiser on Tuesday night with former United Nations Ambassador Richard Holbrooke - see Diana's detailed summary of Holbrooke's comments for more information.

This is just to tell the dozens of you who have written to me or called about Obama's planned visit to London what I know about it.

Nothing.

Date: Don't know. The Times is reporting that he will be here on July 18th, but other media outlets are reporting different dates, and the campaign has made no announcements.Public Meetings: Don't know. As I understand it the main purpose of the trip is to meet with Government officials - whether he will meet with supporters while he's here is not currently known. My understanding (although not official) is that he will NOT be doing any fundraising on his trip.

Duration of Trip: Don't know. Although my sense is that it will be QUICK - a whirlwind tour to meet with major allies.

What do I know? That thousands, probably hundreds of thousands of Americans here in London support him enthusiastically, that he is overwhelmingly popular amongst the British population as well.

He may not be able to meet with us in person while he's here - but in a sense that doesn't really matter, because we already know him. We know this is the most global, thoughtful, disciplined, diplomatic and inspirational candidate that America has offered us for a long time.

Wednesday, 9 July 2008

"Last week I communicated to Senator Obama and his presidential campaign my firm intention to remain in the United States Senate, where I believe I am bestequipped to serve the people of Virginia and this country. Under no circumstances will I be a candidate for Vice President."

This comes as the Obama campaign has apparently begun the formal vetting process of its shortlisted candidates.

It's a little mysterious why Webb would choose to step aside at this point, but possible explanations include:

1) He felt he could be more effective in the Senate - considering we are likely to pick up the other VA Senate seat and a stronger majority this year, he may be looking forward to getting through some of his favorite legislation.

2) He didn't want to be vetted, for whatever reason.

3) Having run in 2006 he didn't relish returning to the heat of a campaign at this point (he's hinted at this himself).

4) The campaign may have signalled that he's not at the top of their list, and offered him this graceful exit.

Whatever the reasons, it leaves us with a slightly shorter list of VP prospects, but no more idea who the ultimate choice will be! The suspence builds...

Monday, 7 July 2008

The Obama campaign and the Democratic Convention have announced that Obama will make his nomination speech not in the convention centre itself, but in the nearby football stadium - which holds up to 75,000 people.

“The Democratic Party is nominating a true change candidate this August, and it is only fitting that we make some big changes in how we put on the Convention,” said Governor Howard Dean, Chairman of the Democratic National Committee (DNC). “Senator Obama’s candidacy has generated an enormous amount of excitement and interest, not only in the Democratic Party but also in the 2008 Convention. By bringing the last night of the Convention out to the people, we will be able to showcase Barack Obama’s positive, people-centered vision for our country in a big way. ”

Josh Marshall has a typically sensible post on McCain and Obama's relative positions on the Iraq war. When you clear away all the clutter, McCain and Obama stand in opposite positions:

McCain wants the war to go well so that we can stay in Iraq forever.

Obama wants the war to go well so that we can bring our troops home.

As Josh says:

We have two candidates with starkly different positions. Barack Obama is for an orderly and considered withdrawal of all US combat forces in Iraq, a process he says he will begin immediately upon taking office. John McCain supports a permanent garrisoning of US troops on military bases in Iraq -- a long-term 'presence' which he hopes will require a constantly-diminishing amount of actual combat and thus an ever-diminishing toll in American lives.

This is, I believe, a fair and even generous description of each candidate's essential position. And the recital makes the key point clear: McCain's position is squarely on the wrong side of public opinion -- in fact, to an overwhelming degree.

This is why the McCain campaign spends what seems almost literally to be all its time (with tractable reporters in tow) scrutinizing the rhetorical entrails of Obama's every statement trying to find some movement or contradiction or frankly anything that can be talked about to keep everybody's attention (press, commentators, citizens, precocious teenagers) off the fact that McCain's position on Iraq is wildly unpopular and even more what McCain's position actually is.

Sunday, 6 July 2008

My friend Mark Mullen sent over this invite to an outrageously fun-sounding fundraiser for Rick Noriega. Noriega is hoping to knock off the incumbent Republican Senator John Cornyn - wouldn't it be great to prove the real value of Barack Obama's 50 state campaign by picking off a Senate seat in deep red Texas?

See below:

Join us at a fundraiser in support ofRick NoriegaDemocratic Candidate for U.S. SenateFrom TexasWednesday 16 July 2008, 6:00 – 8:00pmThe Texas Embassy1 Cockspur Street, Trafalgar Square, SW1Y 5DL, Central LondonFajita Buffet and Cash BarTickets US$100RSVP/tickets here and here only GET 'EM QUICK http://www.actblue.com/page/london_noriegaQuestions? Contact Laura Welch in Austin at laura@ricknoriega.com or Mark Mullen in London at noriegalondon@gmail.com.Please forward this to anybodywho wants a US Senator Texas can be proud of andwho may know like minded individuals in the UKpachanga means party!***Please note: Only US Citizens and Permanent US Residents may contribute to US political campaigns. Documentation will be required.Contributions or gifts to Rick Noriega for Texas are not deductible as charitable contributions for Federal income tax purposes. To comply with Federal law, we must use our best efforts to obtain, maintain, and submit the name, mailing address, occupation and name of employer of individuals whose contributions exceed $200 per calendar year. Contributions are limited to $2,300 per individual and $4,600 per couple per election.

So you may be asking, just how big of a doofus is Noriega's opponent, John Cornyn? Well, check out Noriega's strong response to Cornyn's recent ad (in which he dresses up in a cowboy costume - as if her were advertising a used car dealership local access cable..):